Archery set

[nomadbushcraft]

Here is a neolithic archery set as requested by bushwhacker bob. I made this in Gambia as a demonstration peice two years ago. the poundage of the bow is about 35lbs with a draw length of about 28 - 30 inches. I am currently making another bow from european ash, the one in the picture is made in a mandinga style from fire hardened split and cured bamboo stave.

The arrow shafts are made from green cattail stalks harvested after the cattail has dropped it's polllen these are dried (they dry spirally which serves to straighten the arrow slightly they are fitted with a short foresshaft in this case marula wood into which a flint arrow head is fitted and strengthened with sinew (bush pig in this case) the sinew is sealed with pig fat and sweat beeswax to protect it. the filghts are sea bird feathers harvested from a hyena kill.

This set took 3 bush pig, 4 baracuda with harpoon arrow not shown (from a dugout in the mangroves) and 6 guinnea fowl on a 2 week trip.

very effective hunting tool

Andrew

 

[JFW]

Andrew,

that is a lovely looking set. Is there anywhere we can see a larger picture?

Cheers


JFW

 

[Ruckus]

wow thats amazing

 

[Roving Rich]

That is amazing ! It really doesn't look upto the task, and 35 pounds isn't much power atall ! I guess its all just down to skill of the bowman. You must be a great stalker ! I must admit to have never used one "in anger" that is at live quarry, as unfortunately bow hunting is illegal here. Its great to know that even my relatively feeble bow is capable of providing supper.
Thanks for sharing
Cheers
Rich

 

[grahoom]

Roving Rich, is bow hunting illegal on private land?

 

[2blackcat]

As far as I'm aware bow hunting is illegal anywhere in this country

 

[maverick]

bow hunting is illegal anywhere in this country

Unless you are hunting a welsh man on a sunday outside of the city walls
One of many old archery laws embroyded into british law

 

[Fire Starter]

Coming from Chester I can confirm that it's still quite ok in English law to shoot an arrow at a Welshman from the City walls - although I would not like to be the first to challenge the old law.

I made an improvised bow and arrow from hazel, it wasn't very accurate. I had more success hitting a target by throwing sticks.

 

[beach bum]

Still legal to kill a Welshman armed with a bow in Hereford ( unless it's a market day)



regards

beach bum